New device could put an end to dental phobia
Scientists in America have developed a new device, which could put an end to dental phobia.
The NuCalm device has been specially designed to benefit patients who suffer from dental anxiety and dental phobia. It is estimated that one in four patients suffers from dental anxiety, with hundreds of people avoiding going to the dentist as a consequence each year.
The NuCalm device involves using cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CAS) to relax nervous patients. The treatment works in two phases; first, the patient is given a tablet, which contains gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical which is naturally produced by the brain and helps the body to relax. Secondly, the patient has two electrodes fitted to the surface of their skin; these electrodes are connected to a generator, which encourages the receptors in the body to respond to the GABA. The process slows brain activity to a level which is usually related to sleep and deep relaxation; this is said to increase the production of serotonin and dopamine, which help the body and mind to feel relaxed.
The NuCalm method has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and dentists across the UK are starting to introduce the equipment into their surgeries. Dr Mervyn Druian, a dentist from London, has been using the NuCalm device since March and says it has had a significant impact on nervous patients. Patients who have experienced treatment with NuCalm say that it has transformed the way they view going to the dentist; they felt relaxed and now feel confident about going to the dentist in the future.
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation is already used to treat a variety of other disorders in the USA including post-traumatic disorder, long-term anxiety and insomnia.
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would patients be able to opperate a car after?
I thought this would be something cool for you to share with your dental class after you start.